Attic conversions

ABSTRACT

A method of effecting an attic conversion includes:
         a) providing a bed base and a headboard,   b) forming an opening in a wall of the attic,   c) attaching the headboard to the wall of the attic above the opening,   d) providing and installing a track and   e) so mounting the bed base on the track that it can be moved between a position in which it projects substantially wholly from the opening and a position in which only a minor part of the bed base projects from the opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to attic conversions.

With the current high costs associated with moving house, there is anincreasing requirement for providing additional living space in theattic or loft of a dwelling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved methodof effecting an attic conversion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a method ofeffecting an attic conversion, the method including providing a bed baseand a headboard, forming an opening in a wall of the attic, attachingthe headboard to the wall of the attic above the opening, providing andinstalling a track and so mounting the bed base on the track that it canbe moved between a position in which it projects substantially whollyfrom the opening and a position in which only a minor part of the bedbase projects from the opening.

When the bed base projects substantially wholly from the opening, thecombination of the headboard and the bed base can be used as a bedwhereas, when only a minor part of the bed base projects from theopening (and the majority of the bed base is contained within theopening) the combination of the headboard and the bed base can be usedas a settee.

Rollers are preferably mounted on the bed base and arranged forengagement with the track, and the bed base is preferably provided withleg formations at the end thereof which projects from the opening.

When installing the components in an attic (or loft) having anappropriate wall, the opening is first formed in the wall and then a boxis preferably inserted in the opening, the box having an internal spaceof such size that it can receive the major part of the bed base.

The present invention thus enables a room in an attic (or loft) to beconverted from a sitting room or lounge (containing a settee) into abedroom (containing a bed).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an attic or loft bed settee,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the attic or loft bed settee, and

FIG. 3 comprises a number of views showing different positions of thebed settee.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a convertible bed settee installed in an attic orloft (hereinafter referred to for convenience as a loft). An opening isformed at the bottom of a wall 10 in the loft and aglass-fiber-reinforced plastic box 11 is inserted in the opening. Thebox 11 has an upwardly projecting flange that abuts against the upperedge of the opening in the wall 10 and the box 11 is covered withexpanded foam insulation material. The box 11 contains a plywood base 12that has a downwardly flange at its forward end that abuts against thelower edge of the opening in the wall 10. The box 11 also has outwardlyprojecting flanges at its sides that bear against the sides of theopening in the wall 10. A draught-proof arrangement is thus provided.

A padded headboard/backrest 13 is attached to the wall 10 so as to coverthe upper part of the projecting portion of the box 11 and a pair oftracks are contained within the interior of the box 11. The tracks areengaged by rollers 14 mounted on a frame 15 forming part of a bed base16 that has a depending leg structure 17 at its forward end.

The bed base 16 is movable between an outer position in which itprojects substantially completely from the interior of the box 11 and astowed or inner position in which the major part thereof is containedwithin the interior of the box 11. When the bed base 16 is in its outerposition, a bed is provided and the room in the loft can be used as abedroom. When, however, the bed base 16 is in its stowed or innerposition, a settee is provided and the room in the loft can be used as alounge or sitting room.

The present invention thus enables a loft conversion operation to becarried out in a way that provides a room usable as either a bedroom ora sitting room, depending on whether the bed base 16 is in its outerposition or in its inner position.

It is to be appreciated that the terms “loft” and “attic” as used hereinare intended to cover any form of habitable roof space in a building.

1. A method of effecting an attic conversion, the method includingproviding a bed base and a headboard, forming an opening in a wall ofthe attic, attaching the headboard to the wall of the attic above theopening, providing and installing a track and so mounting the bed baseon the track that it can be moved between a position in which itprojects substantially wholly from the opening and a position in whichonly a minor part of the bed base projects from the opening.
 2. A methodas claimed in claim 1, in which rollers are mounted on the bed base andare arranged for engagement with the track and in which the bed base isprovided with leg formations at the end thereof which projects from theopening.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which a box is insertedin the opening in the wall, the box having an internal space of suchsize that it can receive the major part of the bed base.